Mason Welcomes Students, Faculty, and Staff

Classes begin today at all three campuses as George Mason welcomes students, faculty, and staff with information fairs, receptions, refreshments, movies, and music as part of its Welcome Week 2004 festivities. This year, each day has its own theme.

At the Fairfax Campus, all events will be held on the Johnson Center North Plaza unless otherwise noted. A Welcome Week tent will be set up on the plaza from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Thursday. Students will receive free goodies such as cups, pens, backpacks, magnets, Frisbees, lanyards, and much more.

Welcome Week gets started today with the “Get Info” theme. At Fairfax, a grab-and-go breakfast is available from 7 to 10 a.m., while giant inflatable toys will be showcased from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Hot Boyz from 99.5 will be on campus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and free funnel cakes and cotton candy will be available throughout the day. At Prince William, University Life info will be available all week, and a scavenger hunt takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. At 11:30 a.m., there is a “welcome back cookout.”

On Tuesday, “Get School’d Day,” an academic showcase will be held at Fairfax from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other highlights include a Velcro wall, caricaturists, and the HFS 99.1 Street Team. The night is capped off with an outdoor movie at 9 p.m. At Prince William, Academic Showcase/Academic Advisement/Admissions Info will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A caricaturist is on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Get Spirit” is the theme for Wednesday. At Fairfax, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be an athletics showcase along with several carnival games, while mascot Gunston and the Pep Band will make an appearance at noon. Free games are available in the SUB I Game Room from 8 to 11 p.m. At Prince William, all are encouraged to wear green and gold Mason gear, and Freedom Center/Athletics info will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Airbrush tattoos will be featured from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Students are encouraged to “Get Involved” on Thursday, beginning with the student organization showcase from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fairfax. Free funnel cakes and cotton candy will be available, and a dunk tank should make for an interesting afternoon. At Prince William, a University Life Offices/PW Student Organization Showcase will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and there is “welcome back pizza” at 11:30 a.m.

“Get Community” on Friday and “Get Fun” on Saturday round out the week of events at Fairfax. A community showcase will be held on Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and several area vendors will be on campus to promote their materials. The first annual Community Fest is held from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. that evening. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will be shown in the Johnson Center Cinema at 6 and 9 p.m. on both nights. The weekend is capped off with an appearance by the cast of Real World: San Diego in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall at 8 p.m. on Saturday.